Traditional Cape Cod clambakes have been celebrations for generations of families along the New England coast. The savory dish is meant to be made, and enjoyed, by a large group of people who come together for joyous occasions. For example, a crowd will gather on a New England beach for a New Year's Eve party, bringing mussels, clams, rock lobsters and crabs destined for consumption, and then dig a pit, which will then be lined with smooth stones.

At the beach you will start by digging a ditch to the following dimensions: 2 feet wide, 4 feet long, and 1-1/2 feet deep. Then line the ditch with stones from the beach. Then get a fire going inside the pit, wrapping it around with more rocks. Let the stones heat up for about two or three hours, then remove coals and ashes from the ditch. Then line the bottom of the ditch with the heated stones, placing fresh, wet, seaweed over the top of them.

Rapidly, layer the food on top of the seaweed, the food should be bedded evenly on top of one another in the following order: clams, mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs which are covered in cheesecloth, onions, potatoes white and sweet, corn, and lastly lobsters. Wrap up food with a clean, wet cloth. Place the left over seaweed on top of the canvas.

Using a wet tarp over the top of it all will steam the food by confining the steam given off by the hot rocks and seaweed. Make sure there are a few gaps to allow the release of pressure. Cook it for at least an hour. You'll know it's done when the potatoes are soft. Serve it with melted butter and lobster crackers.

The New England lobster clambake is a tradition, whether you cook it in your backyard or buy it pre-made from a grocery store. There are caterers who specialize in the production of this delicacy. If your lobster clambake is meant to be for a family get together, you might consider learning how to make this dish at home. If it's for a wedding, a caterer may be the best option. And if it is for a gift, perhaps a pre-made gift basket will suit your needs.

New England clambake dates back prior to the arrival of the English colonists in the 1600s. The Native American tribe, native to Cape Cod, prepared clam bake as part of their sacred celebration. Today clambakes which are bought from the stores are a convenience for those who would prefer not to wait. They are particularly popular with families. The meal consists of lobster, steamed clams, corn, potato and coleslaw.

New England clambake is a great tradition that has been handed down for thousand and thousands of years. Everyone who savors the conventional method of preparing seafood such as lobsters, mussels, crabs and clams, will definitely love clambake on the beach. The cooking of the Clam Bake starts out by making a pit in the beach sand and then laying smooth stones in the center of the pit. A Lobster Clambake can be cooked in your yard in a metal can, or in a steamer in your kitchen and enjoy your very own Cape Cod clambake with friends and family.